East Los Angeles Montebello BPW Honored Marie Montanez

President Karen Robertson called the October 23rd BPW dinner meeting to order with Hollywood President Marjory Harper and Parliamentarian Linda Wilson.

The event was held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Monterey Park

Linda Wilson led the Flag Salute.

Theresa Amador led the Invocation. She read a poem written by Marie Montanez. The title was unknown but Theresa called it “Need A Hug”. She is 82 years young and a volunteer at BPW. She called her friend Marie Montanez a long time volunteer in our community.  She thanked members of the BPW, Monterey Park Woman’s Club and members of the Monterey Park Historical Society for attending this special event.

Linda Wilson and Marjory Harper spoke about their district conference with Sierra Mar. They reminded the guests that women earned the right to vote 100 years ago. The Business and Professional Women’s clubs are sponsoring a float in the 2020 Rose parade. It will cost $300,000 and their are raising funds for the float. Our club has raised $5,000 towards the float that will have relatives of the Women’s Suffrage Movement seating on it. BPW is helping women to achieve success in their lives.

Theresa Amador introduced Mayor Hans Liang to the audience. She called him her neighbor and friend. She also thanked Carol Sullivan and Linda Wilson for this special event.

Mayor Hans Liang said the he is honored to be here tonight to attend the East Los Angeles Montebello BPW meeting to honor Marie Montanez, a busy community activist. They both belong to the Monterey Park Woman’s Club.

Marie Montanez is a member of the Monterey Park Woman’s Club where she has held the positions of Treasurer and Director of Philanthropy. She has received the Woman’s Club awards for Clubwoman of the Year, Kindness Angel and President’s Award. Through the Monterey Park Woman’s Club, she spearheaded the Annual Purse Project, which donates purses filled with personal care items to local domestic violence shelters. She is a member of the Laura Scudder’s Scholarship Committee in coordination with the Monterey Park Historical Society. She is also a member of the Monterey Park Garden Club. She has been responsible for getting thousands of new and gently used children’s books donated to local organizations including the Monterey Park Bruggemeyer Library, Maryvale, Boys and Girls Clubs of West San Gabriel Valley, YMCA, Monterey Park Day Care, East Los Angeles College Day Care, MERCI, Jewish Community Preschool, Domestic Violence Shelters, San Gabriel Mission and the Annual Christmas Toy Drive for the Monterey Park Police and Fire Departments. She assists with the Monterey Park Library Foundation’s fundraisers. In addition, she participated in the Reader’s Theater at the Library honoring Laura Scudder. Montanez volunteers at the Pasadena Showcase House to help assist Tech Trek as they help young girls learn about STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers.

Marie Montanez was born in Santa Barbara, but came to Monterey Park when she was six-years-old. She graduated from Mark Keppel High School and attended Pasadena City College. She has been married to her husband Jerry since 1975.

In the early 1970s Marie Montanez did Real Estate Market Research for a financial newsletter. In the mid-1970s she started as a part-time teller at Pacific Saving and Loan on Garfield in Monterey Park. She retired from banking as a Regional Vice-President in the mid 90’s. In the 90’s she worked for University of Chicago here in California and until 2002 she worked as Senior Tasting Editor for a wine tasting magazine. She enjoys doing craft projects and working in the garden with her Mom.

Hans Liang said he met Marie in 2013. She is a person who is dedicated to our community. She is a wonderful person to share herself with the city. Family is important. He always sees Marie with her mother, Cecelia Montanez. She brings happiness to everyone.

Marie Montanez and Hans Liang shared a hug.

Karen Roberson presented the award to Marie Montanez with Hans Liang.

Marie Montanez thanked Karen Roberson, Carol Sullivan and Linda Wilson for this honor. She thanked her mother, Cecelia Montanez. She called her mother her partner in crime and buddy. You made me the woman I am today. She thanked members of the Woman’s Club and all of the guests for coming out tonight. She has been a member of the Woman’s Club for the last 50 years. They are involved in the community. She has made some very good friends.

Karen Roberson thanked all of the guests for their attendance.

Marie Montanez and Cecelia Montanez shared this moment at the dinner.

Forty-three people enjoyed a delicious dinner and sat around the tables decorated with colorful flowers and a picture of Marie Montanez.

Members of the Monterey Park Woman’s Club joined together for a group picture in memory of this special evening.